← Back to searchWord Index →

Is the word camelôs the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?

No

While the spelling is identical, there is a significant difference in usage. In Brazil, "camelô" is the standard, everyday term used to describe an informal street vendor. In Portugal, the word "camelô" is not a native term; while it might be understood due to the influence of Brazilian media, a Portuguese person would not naturally use it to describe a street vendor. Instead, they would use terms like "vendedor ambulante" or "vendedor de rua."

Brazilian Portuguese Usage

  1. "Comprei este fone de ouvido de um camelô no centro." (I bought these headphones from a street vendor downtown.)
  2. "A prefeitura está tentando organizar os camelôs da região." (The city hall is trying to organize the street vendors in the region.)
  3. "Tem muitos camelôs vendendo acessórios na porta do metrô." (There are many street vendors selling accessories at the subway entrance.)
  4. "O camelô me deu um desconto porque eu comprei duas coisas." (The street vendor gave me a discount because I bought two items.)
  5. "Aquele camelô vende de tudo, desde capas de celular até óculos de sol." (That street vendor sells everything, from phone cases to sunglasses.)

Continental Portuguese Usage

  1. "Comprei este chapéu de um vendedor ambulante." (I bought this hat from a street vendor.)
  2. "Os vendedores ambulantes costumam circular pelo mercado." (Street vendors usually circulate through the market.)
  3. "É difícil encontrar vendedores de rua nesta zona da cidade." (It is difficult to find street vendors in this area of the city.)
  4. "O vendedor ambulante vende fruta fresca logo de manhã." (The street vendor sells fresh fruit early in the morning.)
  5. "A atividade dos vendedores ambulantes é regulamentada pela câmara municipal." (The activity of street vendors is regulated by the city council.)